In an examination of tank warfare and leadership in modern conflicts, former British tank commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon highlights the enduring tension between technological sophistication and numerical superiority on the battlefield. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, de Bretton-Gordon’s insights underscore the complexity of armored combat and the critical role of training and leadership.
De Bretton-Gordon notes that post-Cold War Britain has experienced significant reductions in military manpower and equipment across its armed forces, including the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Nevertheless, the nation continues to deploy some of the most advanced technology in armored vehicles, exemplified by the Challenger 3 tank currently undergoing trials in Germany. This advanced platform demands operators juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, including navigation, target acquisition, and weapon firing.
The author contrasts the impact of mass production against technological quality using World War II as a benchmark. While German tanks like the Tiger and Panther were technologically superior, Allied success largely stemmed from greater numbers, exemplified by the 16,000 Sherman tanks produced versus around 1,000 German tanks. Quoting General George S. Patton’s remark during the Salerno campaign, de Bretton-Gordon emphasizes that quantity often compensated for the qualitative edge held by the enemy.
However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine demonstrates that sheer numbers are insufficient without adequate training, mobilization, and command. De Bretton-Gordon points to the early war incident when a column of Russian tanks became immobilized north of Kyiv due to commanders’ reluctance to leave the roads, making them vulnerable. Ukrainian forces exploited this with British-supplied NLAW anti-tank weapons, effectively neutralizing the column by targeting its first and last tanks.
The former commander also reflects on the vulnerabilities of Russian tanks, attributing their heavy losses to thin armor and inadequate protection measures. He explains that unlike British tanks, which store ammunition in armored compartments, Russian tanks keep ammunition loosely on the floor, increasing the risk of catastrophic explosions when hit. Furthermore, he highlights the use of first-person view drones by Ukrainian forces to drop hand grenades into tank turrets, exploiting these weaknesses.
De Bretton-Gordon’s account includes a personal wartime anecdote from the first Gulf War involving Major James Hewitt, then commanding a squadron of Challenger 1 tanks. Hewitt was ordered to engage armored targets that unbeknownst to him were allied forces led by de Bretton-Gordon himself. Hewitt’s hesitation and ultimate decision to verify his targets avoided a potentially devastating friendly fire incident. De Bretton-Gordon praises Hewitt’s leadership instincts, recognizing the incident as a defining moment that saved lives and remains honored among veterans.
De Bretton-Gordon’s book, *Tank Command: How the Tank Changed the Face of Battle*, offers a detailed examination of how tanks have shaped warfare from World War II to present-day conflicts, emphasizing the continuing evolution of armored tactics and the indispensable role of effective leadership in combat.